126
but that Mr. Morel harasses them by insisting on the work being done too thoroughly that owing to this the weaker men cannot fulfil their task, and are kept in the fields till 6 and 7 in the evening. They alleged also that if they remain at home for one or two days in a week the whole week's oil is cut that if they are absent without leave for one day, half a week's dholl is stopped; and if absent two or three days, the whole of their week's dholl is stopped They allege further that the water supply on the estate is insufficient for culinary and washing purposes, and that they are put to much inconvenience through having to pump it themselves from the wells, that they are frequently marked absent if they do not fulfil their task, and that Mr. Morel is in the habit of abusing and striking them if he is not satisfied with the manner in which they do their work.
I wrote to the Manager yesterday in regard to the vague charges alluded to above asking him to remove all cause of complaint, and I will enquire into them
later
9 Most of the men on this estate have resided on it for years past re-engaging over and over again
J. F. TROTTER, Protector of Immigrants.
MANAGER OF LABOURDONNAIS ESTATE to PROTECTOR OF IMMIGRANTS.
TELEGRAM.
29 December, 1908. Serious riot yesterday evening. Chief overseer seriously wounded. Men refuse this morning to take work.
A. WIERE
as possible
Should like to see you as soon
127
7. I do not think I would be justified in taking this step, and I am confirmed in this opinion by the conviction that any further taxation that I might propose would fail to attain its object, namely, the balance of the Budget.
8. I have therefore addressed to you a telegram* a copy of which is enclosed, in which I ask permission to propose that the Council of Government request the appointment of a Royal Commission to enquire into the Government, the finances, and the taxable resources of the Colony with a view to advising as to the measures that may be desirable to ameliorate the present position and place the finances and Administration on a more satisfactory footing.
9. I will in a separate despatch report to your Lordship the various pro- posals made for the reduction of expenditure and the action taken by the Council of Government in respect of such proposals; but I may at once say that the majority of such proposals relate to the reduction of the salaries of various officials or the suppression of their posts on vacancy. I have given the assurance that all such proposals will receive the careful consideration of the Government when the time
comes.
10. But these economies cannot affect the immediate present, and it is the immediate present, and more especially the present condition of the railway, that gives cause for anxiety.
11. I could not, therefore, accept the responsibility of adjourning to a more or less distant future the serious consideration of what measures are to be taken, and as it is obvious that the reforms to be introduced must be of a more radical nature than can be carried out by the local Legislature and the Officer Adminis- tering the Government, I have considered that I would be acting in the best interests of the Colony in applying to your Lordship for permission to propose to the Council of Government that they should call in the assistance and advice of a Royal Com- mission.
12. I ought perhaps to add that there has been a rise in the price of sugar followed by a subsequent fall, but the price is still very favourable. Bombay sugars are, I am informed, now quoted at Rs. 9.50; but it must take time before this rise of price can affect the general prosperity of the Colony, and, with the general prosperity, the finances of the Government.
4420
No. 103.
I have, &c.,
GRAHAM BOWER.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TIC.O. 882
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-| COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 6 February, 1909.)
(No. 2.)
MY LORD,
Government House, Port Louis, 5 January, 1909.
1 HAVE the honour to acquaint you that on the 29th December the discussion of the financial sition which has been taking place in the Council of Government was closed.
On the same date I asked the Financial Officers for a statement of the probable Revenue and Expenditure for 1908-9, and I enclose, for your information, a copy of the statements furnished to me by them.
2. Your Lordship will notice that the deficit for the year is estimated at Rs. 704,675; but the railways of the Colony have unfortunately from want of funds been allowed to fall into a condition which, if not remedied shortly, may become dangerous.
3. It is necessary, therefore, in contemplating the financial position of the Colony, to consider not only the actual deficit but the necessity for making provision for the interest and sinking fund of a railway loan.
4. I see no reasonable probability of effecting this. The Council of Govern- ment is clearly opposed to further taxation, and public meetings are being held to urge the Elected Members to oppose further taxation and to demand an enquiry.
5. I do not assert that the opinions expressed at these meetings represent the views, of what may be called the cultured classes in Mauritius; nevertheless, I cannot shut my eyes to the fact that these meetings are largely attended, and mainly by Indians.
6. I might possibly force further taxation through the Council by means of the official vote, but such a course would certainly give rise to further and increasing agitation which, as I have explained, has included and is including appeals to the Indian population.
Enclosure 1 in No. 103.
STATEMENT showing the Revenue and Expenditure for the first half of the financial year 1908-9 as compared with the same period of the previous year.
Revenue for six months ended :-
31 December, 1908 31 December, 1907
Below 1907
Expenditure for six months ended :-
31 December, 1908
31 December, 1907
Above 1907
Rs. 4,338,162 4,432,988
Rs. 94,826
Rs. 4,772,837
4,695,956
..
Rs. 76,881
G. A. BANBURY,
Receiver-General.
Acting Auditor-General.
VICTOR SINGERY,
• No. 91.
† See No. 105.